Senior Manager Global Hardlines Toys Licensing

Be Part of the Story as the Senior Manager Global Hardlines Toys Licensing at The Walt Disney Company! We are responsible for the global commercialization and financial health of a key Hardlines product category. This position will lead and drive a core toy category such as dolls, action figures, construction, or pre-school across key global licensees. Lead the development of global strategies, with partners and collaborators on the execution of those strategies.

This is a Full Time role.

This role reports to the Vice President of Global Hardlines Commercialization.

What You Will Do:

• Define category and brand strategy by reviewing market share and data analytics to develop strategies and business plans by consumer demo, brand and property for core toys

• Accountable for management of all licensees within the product categories, which includes contract negotiation, business and product planning, and marketing alignment, and manage day to day relationship with licensees

• Responsible to interact with regions to help drive financial success and market share growth: drive regular communication and information flow, incorporate feedback for product development, marketing plans and contract negotiation

• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats and dynamics

• Responsible for cost assessment, recommendation and control of research dedicated to managed category

• Identify growth opportunities by category, franchise and distribution and select, pitch and implement new deals to fill gaps

• Negotiate financial deal points and other material terms on new deals and renewals with the support from VP

• Set-up and lead licensee business reviews, as well as internal and external line reviews

• Fiscal responsibility for assigned categories and business segments (setting annual AOP targets, obtaining and reviewing quarterly forecasts)

• Build and present category forecast and budget

• Responsible for category input within the 5 years strategic plan

• Collaborate with product development and cross functional teams to build licensee line plans; ensuring appropriate sku count and price points, improving the commercial opportunities

• Lead category and brand direction of creative roll-out for appropriate licensees

• With Regional and Sales teams input, partner with Product Development to define and plan retailer exclusives

• Partner with regional teams and sales in assortment / planning / pitches where relevant

• In conjunction with the Brand teams, provide any licensee /product information in support of marketing and brand presentations and sales meetings and help define and integrate licensees within wider brand and marketing plans

• Partner with Marketing to build and implement marketing and product launch plans with key partners

• Build solid relationships with other DCP teams and business units to share and exchange standard processes

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent

• 7+ yrs. of directly related experience

• 5+ years of experience in the toy industry working in Hardlines licensing roles for major entertainment licensors or major global toy companies, required

• Excellent understanding of brand and property positioning, retail business development function, retail distribution and the retail environment

• Data/insights driven individual with strong financial savvy and a well-developed understanding of market research, data analysis and data storytelling

• Firsthand experience with marketing/product development and developing/executing brand plans

• Comprehensive knowledge of licensees' production and creative capabilities/limitations

• Strong leader with exceptional communication, presentation, and influencing skills

• Flexible/adaptable, able to collaborate, influence and persuade at all levels of an organization

• Self-starter, motivated, proactive, dependable, flexible and able to work in a fast-paced environment

• Open and effective communicator able to develop respect and build partnerships with both internal and external partners

• Solution oriented teammate with a curiosity for problem solving

• Comfortable working through a highly matrix structure to deliver business objectives

• Passion for the Walt Disney Company and its portfolio of world class brands

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $123,000 to $165,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.